I booked an appointment with Phoebe at Prism Beauty for a pedicure…read more
It is very easy to book an appointment through Prism's website. You select your service, any add ons, artist, day, and time. I scheduled for a Friday, but the artist later texted me to see if I could change my appointment time. I couldn't, so we scheduled for a different day, which was not a problem.
There is a $5-$10 price difference between booking with a "senior" or "junior" artist for nail services. I think Prism should reconsider that policy because labeling someone a "junior" artist makes you think you are getting someone who is less experienced or won't do as good of a job and I don't think that is true at all, especially on a basic pedicure or manicure.
Prism Beauty is on the corner of a busy main road (Capitola) and a residential street (El Dorado). They do not have a parking lot, so you have to find a spot on the street. When I went, there was nothing available on the residential street close to their building, but I found a spot a little further up the main road. Parking isn't a deal breaker, but definitely give yourself extra time, just in case parking is scarce.
When you walk into Prism Beauty, there are manicure stations to your right, lash beds to the left, and two pedicure stations straight ahead. The pedicure stations are on a raised platform with an additional step up to the platform. There is no hand rail from the floor to step nor the step to the platform. If you have any physical disabilities or balance issues, it could be tricky. I would call ahead to see if they have an alternative if you want a pedicure and think the step up would be problematic. I am sure they would also lend a steadying hand if needed.
Phoebe was setting up when I walked in. She addressed me by name and was welcoming. She told me to come up and have a seat. I asked if I should choose a color first, but she said she would bring me my options. They have a basket with all of the color options. Reds, pinks, purples, blues, etc. are bundled together, so you can easily find the color family you want and then a specific color. I chose a color, but when Phoebe went to look for it, no luck. She came back and said they have some colors only in gel and the color I chose was one of them. I picked another color, but she said she would also look for something similar. She brought two colors she chose and one was close to what I wanted. I was satisfied, but I did think it would have been easier if I just looked at the polish wall and picked one, since the samples can be misleading in terms of availability.
Prism uses pedicure "kits" that come with a scrub, mask, and massage lotion. Phoebe also cleaned up the cuticle with an electric "sanding" tool and used a disposable scrubbie cube on my feet. My feet feel soft. I still have some dry skin on the sides of my outer toes, but they are much improved and look good in open-toes shoes.
I paid extra for nail art. I like to get polka dots on all of my toes. My husband is always amused by my polka-dot toes. He judged these dots to be good, but not the best I have had. He pointed out that others have varied the size of the dots to cute effect. These dots are on the small side.
Phoebe chatted with me a bit, but I had to initiate most of the talk. The artists working at Prism are clearly friends and the other clients who were there and came in were obviously regulars. They were all talking with one another. I was the outsider. It would have been nice if they had asked me more questions to draw me in, even simple things like if I live nearby or how I found their salon.
Overall, I got a very nice pedicure at Prism. I would go back, but I would be very cautious about the days/times I booked due to traffic and parking. I have been trying to find a new nail artist because the person I went to for over ten years moved away from the area. I have tried four places. I would rank Prism #2 of the four for overall feel and outcome, but they win in terms of ease of booking.
